Michigan

Former Michigan State basketball star and NBA player Morris Peterson holds his hand to his heart for the National Anthem before the State Games of Michigan torch run on Monday, June 16, 2014 at Atwood Stadium in Flint. Katie McLean | MLive.com
(Katie McLean)

Peterson heralded Michigan State coach Tom Izzo's latest move in Cleveland State transfer Bryn Forbes, a 6-foot-3, 175-pound guard who played high school basketball at Lansing Sexton, and called West Virginia transfer Eron Harris a good addition to the team, "a combo scoring guard that can do a lot."

"That's a good pickup," Peterson said of Forbes, seeking an NCAA waiver to play next season. "You've got a guy that's proven himself at the NCAA level and he's coming back to Lansing to play with a familiar face."

Peterson, 36, said he spends his time traveling between Michigan and his home in Miami. He started a clothing line, "World Artist Refuge," in hopes of bringing creativity out of kids and opened up a transportation company in Miami.

He says he talks to Izzo "all the time." And the speculation that Izzo might one day leave MSU for the NBA?

"I think coach is a Spartan for life," Peterson said. "But to turn down all that money over the years, I think he may have turned down $100 million.

"It's tough, but that lets you know what's in his heart and who's in his heart — and the program. What coach has been able to build over the years, it's been great and it's hard to just walk away from that."

On following former teammate and fellow Flint native Mateen Cleaves into broadcasting, like so many other former professional athletes, he didn't rule it out.

"I've thought about it," Peterson said. "I think Mo's doing a great job with broadcasting. I've kind of thought about it but I have kids — a couple sets of twins — that have come the last two years. I've been concentrating, spending time with my family. That may be down the road."